Thursday 19 March 2020

First Half of Strange Week No.1

Not an ordinary week for anyone anywhere and now the Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled - what shall we do!! and Eastenders  stopping recording - that will upset some people - but not me....I've never watched an episode right through and the odd bits I've seen just made me  feel very depressed.....it's not a fun programme is it?

On Tuesday DiL had a trip to hospital  for a short appointment. Originally I was going to go with her and look after  Willow and Arthur there. But we decided it was safer and easier for me to look after them here. Last time I looked after 2 children under two years old I was only 27!
Arthur woke up when they arrived at mine and was OK for a while. I got some big smiles and he is starting to make a few baby-talk noises but he was tired and really needed to be asleep. And soon he started to cry. He has a loud cry.....a VERY loud cry. I tried rocking him in his car/carry seat and laying him flat in the carry cot (DiL brought everything!) and finally pulled his hat on and popped him in his fleecy sleeping bag with another blanket and cover on top and shoved him outside in the double buggy - it's too wide to get through the back door........... and after just a few minutes of rocking him back and forward he was asleep. Phew. Me and Willow watched cbeebies - anything for a quiet life!

Yesterday I had to go to Stowmarket to the bank and braved Tesco on the outskirts of town - 9 a.m and it was busy - I think about 5 times busier than it usually is at that hour. As seen on TV ......shelves in many areas were empty but unlike what I'd heard there was no pushing or shoving and everyone was being patient in the checkout queues. There were staff doing the online shop picking - heavens knows what they do with empty shelves.
Then into town to the bank and Asda - much quieter, perhaps only twice as busy as usual. I got all I needed which wasn't a lot, the only thing not available anywhere is yeast, but I've enough left for several loaves.
I've always kept a well stocked cupboard going back to the days when we only had one car which Col used for work so we only did a supermarket shop once a month and if something I needed wasn't available it would be several weeks before I could go back again.
 

So as to keep blogging my posts are going to get extremely boring - the minutiae of my days! but not what I have for dinner! that would really make for dull posts.
Speaking of which............The OneSuffolk weight loss management programme which would have been week 5 out of 12 is another thing cancelled although there is going to be something available online.

This was a sight not seen recently................it's just a tractor spreading fertiliser on the field over the track but everywhere has been far too wet for farmers to get on the fields until now and judging by the depth of the tram-lines this one was leaving I reckon the fields are still very soggy.
 


 Thanks for comment yesterday and I love the idea of an online blog quiz. The trouble is it would be far too simple to google answers!

Back Tomorrow with vegetable garden news and a fill-empty-days list - bet you can't wait!!
Sue

 (I've puzzled over what labels to use for blogging during the coronavirus days and decided on STRANGE TIMES)



55 comments:

  1. I wonder what I will write about. I can't even think of a comment this morning!

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  2. Seeing the tractors out, bird song and my garden are my normality, and of course reading your blog! Please don’t stop - you won’t be boring - just normal. x

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  3. You haven't lost your baby care skills then, Sue!
    Life in the countryside is never dull, you will find plenty of things to blog about. You write, we'll read. Guaranteed!

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    1. He's so LOUD! I'd forgotten how deafening holding a yelling baby can be.

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  4. Just keep telling us all the little things. To be honest it is a comfort reading posts in bed with a cup of tea before facing the day.
    I’m preparing to go and get my 89 year old Mum on Saturday so it will be a day of furniture moving and cleaning. She cannot manage the stairs easily so bringing a bed into the dining room

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    1. Hope it goes well with moving your Mum in and you all keep well.

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  5. Gosh, well done with sorting Arthur out - shows you've not forgotten your mothering skills!

    I hope you got some of the things you needed. Lateral thinking is needed when seeking out loo rolls and paracetamol though! We are trying to support the small private traders locally.

    We are happy to read about the small things, and book reviews would be lovely.

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    1. I've got my 48 loo rolls from the "Who gives a crap" company - what good timing that turned out to be!
      I'll keep blogging

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  6. I've not seen any vicious behaviour either, seems to me people are just scared and want to get in and out of shops quickly. I feel for the shop staff, they look worn out and are risk trying to keep shelves stocked and people happy.

    Strange times indeed.

    I have no idea what to blog about, I'm going to avoid the virus on my blog now, as much as in real life! even if I have to dredge up old photos and just rely on my nitwit thoughts, I'm going to try to Happy Blog as much as I can.

    You stay safe.

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    1. We'll both think of something to say I'm sure. Enjoy having your lovely girl at home

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  7. I share your feeling about Eastenders. I went through a spell a long time ago of following it and decided it was depressing me far too much for my own well-being.
    I can quite happily miss Eurovision too - was a sad person I must be, for sure!
    Sue, while I enjoy reading about your outinds and 'specials', even more I enjoy reading about your day-by-day living. The things you make, the walks you take (ooo - poetic), what you plant and cut back and harvest, your thoughts and opinions. You are in no way boring, believe me, never, ever.
    We NEED gentle, normal, everyday blogs like yours.
    xx

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  8. I am going to sow my sweet pea seeds this morning and tidy up the greenhouse.
    I never watch East Enders or The other one.
    Enjoy the day Sue whatever you do.
    Hazel c uk

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    1. I remember watching Coronation St back in the 1960s but not since and I will keep blogging

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    2. There's always an unlimited supply of DVDs at the library if you get bored and want to watch some old stuff, new movies or very interesting documentary or travel films.

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  9. Well, Strange Times indeed! My husband couldn't sleep after a visit to the bathroom at 5am, so decided to go shopping, lol. Lots of announcements that there is still plenty on the shelves and opening up early for the over 70s. At T's in Honiton he managed to get some of our normal things, but no bread, milk or any of the scarce items. He then went to Aldi or Lidl (can't remember which), but they weren't open, so he went to S's in Taunton and didn't stop as there was a long queue snaking round and there was a mixture of ages, some he said looked under thirty. Who is going to turn them away, especially if they get a bit awkward?

    Eastenders is a depressing programme, haven't watched it for many years. Same for the Eurovision as we don't stand a chance of winning as the voting is always tacticle, nothing to do with the songs anymore.

    There is nothing worse than a crying baby who is crying for no apparent reason, so you did well with Arthur.

    Don't feel you have to entertain us Sue, just a few lines each day saying how you are coping with the Strange Times will be enough.

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    1. I will keep blogging - it's important for my mental health too especially if I'm at home alone for weeks

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  10. Yes, same here in inner Sydney, no yeast for love nor money. Is everyone a closet baker now? Actually, I tell a lie. I had a peak at ebay to see if maybe a supplier was selling there, and there was ... at five times the RRP! Or another seller with the correct price but you had to buy 90-something packets. I've enough for a couple of months so it was only going to go into the pantry. If it comes to it, I'll just have to start another sourdough starter ... No Eurovision?! Disaster!!

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    1. I had a look online too as companies like Lakeland and Doves Farm do direct but all out of stock. I'm going to see what happens if I put less in the breadmaker for each loaf, I've got enough for several loaves and could always do soda bread.

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    2. It is really easy to make your own Sourdough starter, and find simple recipes online that don't require constant feeding and throwing away a portion everyday (senseless waste).
      I use a no knead rest overnight method and it is lovely.

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    3. Agree, the throwing away really goes against my grain. I do the no knead overnight bread but with yeast, and find that it works perfectly well with only half the yeast suggested. I'll have to google the overnight sourdough.

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  11. Given that many bloggers live on their own, I would welcome daily posts from everyone, even just to say "Still hanging on here.". I don't care how boring the posts are. Just something to check-in.

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    1. Yes I hope we all keep blogging as much as we can - it will be good to know everyone is OK

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  12. Sue, I am SO sorry. I accidentally deleted the kind comment you sent on my blog. Blame the virus. Thank you for your caring words x

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  13. We have started a church WhatsApp group, it's proving brilliant for keeping people in touch. Also set up a phone buddy system, so everyone has somebody who rings them regularly. Perhaps your WI group could consider this. The government GDPR rules about sharing phone numbers are officially suspended during the current situation.

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    1. I wouldn't know how to do whatsapp!

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    2. It's surprisingly easy. Just like a text message but sent to a selected group of friends. We have a few 90yr olds in the group.

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  14. Making a meal from unusual items from the cupboard would be a ‘fun’ item!

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    1. or not very good!
      I'll keep blogging about something I'm sure

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  15. Knowing you are safe and pottering around your place is the good news. It is very often the everyday stuff of life that intrigues us and it is "good enough". All the best.

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    1. Yes. I hope everyone keeps blogging so we know we are all OK

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  16. No chance I will get to see my granddaughters any time soon. We were to go up for a ballet recital at the end of APril. But that makes no sense for us now and it's unlikely to happen since it would be a gathering of a 100 or more.

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    1. Yes not a good idea for unnecessary journeys

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  17. Can't say I'll miss EastEnders or Eurovision, seeing as we never watch them anyway. Nor the football! I never find any of your posts boring, Sue, on the contrary, I love them.

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    1. Glad you enjoy my posts - I'll try to keep upbeat and keep blogging

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  18. Arthur brought back memories. My eldest would never sleep longer than two hours at a time and then he used to fight falling asleep. I must have spent hours rocking the pram! As an adult, he still does not sleep very much.
    The internet and blogging look like they are going to become an important way for people to have contact with others. Like you, I also want to keep my blog going.
    Stay safe and well, Mxx

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  19. I was lucky as hubby managed to get some yeast yesterday and some white bread flour for him and youngest son, but no wholemeal currently. But at least they can have white bread. Down to 4 eggs and unable to get more at present. Very strange times indeed, keep blogging. A quiz would be lovely. Stay safe and well. Helen S.

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  20. We hardly ever go shopping in person and have had regular S's deliveries for 6 years. Our fridge is now completely bare (I must post a picture!). They are suppose to deliver tomorrow and we hare looking forward to a new game. Substitution surprise! It may lead to some interesting meals. Will panic later, much later, sometime in June perhaps? Oh no, I will probably be knee deep in home grown veg and fruit and probably won't care too much. I know I will make a diary note for September to panic! Keep blogging we need to keep the world as we know it spinning guys!

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  21. I always read your blog, although seldom comment. As others have said please keep blogging, the everday doings are always so interesting & helps us feel we are not on our own, even more so now with self distancing and self isolation. I find it so helpful, thank you Vee x

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  22. I often think I'm running out of things to write about and then three or four ideas all crop up together.

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  23. That was a wise decision to stay there with the grandchildren. I think it is better for anyone that can to avoid going to hospitals and medical offices right now. It's much easier to have little ones at home anyway. You did great with having two of them there - it all comes back to us Grandmas!

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  24. If you are desperate for a Eurovision hit there are lots of old ones on Youtube! Arilx

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  25. Strange times indeed Sue but it does seem to be bringing out the best in some people which is always pleasing. Good to see that tractor - at this time of the year the land does dry out quite quickly so hopefully farmers will be able to catch up.

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  26. Everyday life is probably what we'd all like to read about right now. Calming and normal after too much not-good news.

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  27. Our markets have been crazy. I snuck out of the house with the husband and went to our local grocery store. The paper goods were gone, as was the bread and dairy, and the meats and frozen meats were all gone. We have enough paper towels and toilet paper, but not being able to get milk and bread was rather frightening. What are people going to do with all that stuff?
    It's not really comforting when the leadership in this nation lies to us, first dismissing the virus as a hoax put forth by the other party, and then denigrating the seriousness of the virus by labeling it as Chinese. Of course racism is nothing new for this administration. Hopefully the next election will create a brighter future.
    I love to read your blog. Adventures in grandchildren are fun to read about. I'll never have them so it's fun to live vicariously through your adventures.
    One thing good about this isolation, I'm reading more books.

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    1. But China flu accurately describes its origin. It is not racist. Flu is commonly described by its origin to trace back causes as in this case. Do you not feel ok with Australian flu that we also gave recently and described thus, and often Asian flu and, of course, the Spanish flu after WW1? These terms are not racist. Some research into the origins of Chinese food markets would not go amiss.

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  28. I always feel that my life is boring, but blogging at least allows me to visit other countries and very interesting people like you.

    God bless.

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  29. ive always found that the washing machine on spin is another good one , it baffles them that something is noisier than they are

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  30. As I've gotten older babies cries definitely do seem to be so much louder, or maybe I am used to the quietness!

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  31. Well done on getting him back to sleep, there's nothing worse than a poor little baby getting more and more tired ... and LOUDER and LOUDER.

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